Miracle of Medinah: How Seve's spirit inspired Europe success

By Piers Edwards, CNN

Updated 7:14 AM ET, Tue October 2, 2012

The greatest sporting comebacks10 photos

Mission Improbable – German Martin Kaymer milks the moment as his putt on the 18th green ensures Europe will retain the Ryder Cup. His defeat of Steve Stricker capped an improbable comeback, as the Europeans triumphed 14½-13½ despite trailing 10-4 at one stage on Saturday.

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Rose in bloom – Justin Rose punches the air as he caps an unlikely comeback of his own, defeating Phil Mickelson on the 18th green after being one down with two to play. The American described his loss as one of the turning points of the 2012 Ryder Cup.

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Battle of Brookline – Europe's victory echoed the 1999 Ryder Cup, where the U.S. also came from 10-6 down to win 14½ - 13½. The 'Battle of Brookline' was bathed in controversy as U.S. players stormed the 17th green in celebration at s crucial Justin Leonard putt. Golfing etiquette had been broken as Leonard's opponent, Jose Maria Olazabal, could still have squared their match.

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Lawrie load of glory – Jean Van de Velde (middle) looks bewildered as he reflects on his defeat in the 1999 British Open. The Frenchman blew a three-shot lead on the final hole, so forcing a play-off with Justin Leonard (right) and Scotland's Paul Lawrie (left) which the latter won to seal his first major, despite trailing Van de Velde by an enormous 10 strokes before the final round took place.

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Turkish delight – Liverpool players celebrate with goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek (in black) after the English side completed their remarkable comeback against Italians AC Milan in the 2005 European Champions League final. Trailing 3-0 at half time, Liverpool scored three goals in six second half minutes in Istanbul to force extra time and a penalty shoot-out, which they won 3-2.

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Blue Moon – Players and fans of Manchester City celebrate after winning their first English title since 1968. City trailed Queens Park Rangers 2-1 but scored two stoppage time goals to win 3-2 - and so deny city rivals Manchester United the title. The success echoed United's 1999 Champions League triumph in Barcelona, where they beat Bayern Munich 2-1 despite trailing after 90 minutes.

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The Icemen cometh – Having won the last four gold medals, the Soviet Union were hot favourites to win ice hockey gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Few expected Team USA - made up of amateur and college players - to stop them but they defied the odds to beat the Soviets 4-3 in a semifinal which became known as 'The Miracle on Ice.' They went on to win gold against Finland in the final.

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Comeback King – Despite being two sets and 5-1 down in his semifinal, Frenchman Henri Cochet managed to win the 1927 Wimbledon title. He stunned the world No. 1, American Bill TiIden, in the semis before repeating his escapology act in the final, trailing by two sets once more and surviving six match points before rallying to win in five sets for a third successive game.

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'The 438' – It is the one-day cricket international that may never be equalled. Set a world record score of 435 to win in their allotted 50 overs, Graeme Smith's South Africa beat Australia in Johannesburg after racking up 438 runs, with just one wicket and one ball to spare.

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Mariners run adrift – It is baseball's greatest fairytale comeback. In August 2001, the Seattle Mariners were on their way to equalling the major league record of 116 victories in a season. They led the lowly Cleveland Indians 14-2 at the halfway stage and though the Indians rallied they still needed five full runs with only one out remaining - and got them to win 15-14 in the 11th innings, with Kenny Lofton grabbing the crucial score.

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Story highlights

Europe staged a stunning fightback to snatch the Ryder Cup from U.S. grasp

The U.S. had seemingly built up an unassailable lead before huge turnaround

European captain Jose Maria Olazabal was close friend of late Spaniard

Even though the Ryder Cup prize ceremony took place at Medinah long after the sun had set, the staggering nature of Europe's triumph eclipsed the gloom -- and left many golf fans wondering how the visiting side had recorded the most remarkable comeback in the competition's 85-year history.

Trailing 10-4 at one point on Saturday, and 10-6 as Sunday's singles got underway, the team led by Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal defied the odds to win a record eight-and-a-half points on the final day and thus the trophy itself.

As darkness enveloped Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Europe's captain Olazabal talked of how the spirit of Seve Ballesteros had been key to his team's success.

Inspirational and flamboyant, Ballesteros won five major championships, revolutionized the European Tour and revelled in the passion of a Ryder Cup battle with the United States. He died in 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

"Our team played in the spirit of Seve without ever giving up," Olazabal said.

For leadership and teamwork specialist Khoi Tu -- a man who has advised Formula 1 champions and some of the world's leading companies -- the spirit of Ballesteros hung heavy over the European team.

"The thing that Europe had -- distinct to the United States -- was the notion of playing for Seve, and teams are often at their best when playing for an idea," says Tu, whose book 'Superteams' will be published next month.

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Europe's historic Ryder Cup comeback

Best of Ryder Cup – Peter Hanson, center, and Francesco Molinari of Europe celebrate their team winning the 39th Ryder Cup on Sunday, September 30, in Medinah, Illinois. Europe produced the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history to defeat the United States and retain the trophy. See more of the best of CNN's photography.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Nicolas Colsaerts, left, celebrates with fans after Europe beat the United States on Sunday. The biennial competition pits the best pro golfers from the United States against their European counterparts.

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Best of Ryder Cup – European team captain Jose Maria Olazabal holds the Ryder Cup at the closing ceremonies on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Martin Kaymer is mobbed by the European team after he made the winning putt on the 18th green on Sunday to cinch the Ryder Cup.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Martin Kaymer of Europe celebrates making the decisive putt.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Martin Kaymer sets up the final putt on the 18th green.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Rory McIlroy of Europe celebrates after Martin Kaymer sinks his putt on the 18th green Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Martin Kaymer putts on the final hole Sunday to secure Europe's win.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A U.S. fan high-fives Team Europe's fans after their Ryder Cup victory on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Rory McIlroy of Europe greets Tiger Woods on the 18th green after Europe defeated the United States 14.5 to 13.5 to retain the Ryder Cup.

Best of Ryder Cup – A European supporter watches the play during the singles matches on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Justin Rose of Europe celebrates a birdie putt on the 18th green to defeat Phil Mickelson on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Jason Dufner of the United States, left, shakes hands with Peter Hanson on the 18th green after Dufner defeated Hanson.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Davis Love III waits with some of his team on Sunday at the end of the singles matches.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Ian Poulter of Europe hits a shot from the rough on the 18th hole Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Europe's Francesco Molinari celebrates with his caddie, Jason Hempleman, on the 18th green Sunday after his match with Tiger Woods.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Tiger Woods waits on a hole during Sunday's singles matches.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Fans reach for a golf ball Sunday on the 17th green.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Steve Stricker of the United States reacts to a missed putt on the 17th green as Martin Kaymer of Europe looks on during Sunday's competition.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Jim Furyk of the United States lines up a putt with his caddie, Mike Cowan, on the 17th green.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Lee Westwood of Europe, left, shakes hands with Matt Kuchar on the 16th green after defeating him Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Steve Stricker of the United States lines up a putt on the 16th green during a match Sunday against Martin Kaymer of Germany.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Keegan Bradley of the United States plays a bunker shot on the 14th hole on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Luke Donald of Europe hits from the drop zone Sunday on the 13th hole.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A message of support for Team Europe is written in the sky during the Sunday's single matches. The United States started the day with a seemingly insurmountable 10-6 lead.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Graeme McDowell of Europe crosses a bridge during the singles matches on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A U.S. fan watches the matches on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Webb Simpson of the United States hits his tee shot on the 13th hole Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Luke Donald of Europe celebrates after saving bogey Sunday on the 13th green.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Martin Kaymer of Europe plays a bunker shot on the ninth hole Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Zach Johnson of the United States reacts to a shot on the ninth hole Sunday as Graeme McDowell, right, and his caddie, Ken Comboy, of Europe look on.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A U.S. team caddie wears patriotic shoes on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Ian Poulter of Europe plays a bunker shot Sunday on the fourth hole.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Luke Donald of Europe watches his tee shot on the third hole Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Fans watch the play on the first tee during the singles matches of the Ryder Cup on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Bubba Watson of the United States, left, greets Luke Donald of Europe on the first tee Sunday in Medinah.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Bubba Watson of the United States watches his tee shot on the first hole Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A sea of fans crowds around the first tee near the clubhouse Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Luke Donald of Europe plays a bunker shot on the fifth hole on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Tiger Woods of the United States watches from the fairway on the first hole Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Tim Finchem, from left, Jack Nicklaus and Jeff Sluman watch the action on the first tee Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Keegan Bradley of the United States hits his tee shot on the first hole Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Rory McIlroy of Europe lines up a shot with his caddie J.P. Fitzgerald on the third tee on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Team USA Assistant Captain Fred Couples stirs up the crowd during play Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Team Europe's Luke Donald tees off from the first hole Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Ian Poulter of Europe celebrates after making a birdie on the first hole Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – European fans cheer at the start of the final day of play at the 39th Ryder Cup on Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Keegan Bradley rallies U.S. fans on the first tee at the start of the day Sunday.

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05 ryder cup 0930 – Team USA fans cheer from the stands Sunday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Former U.S. President George W. Bush shakes hands with Fred Couples, assistant captain of Team USA on Saturday, September 29.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Bush reaches to shake the hands of spectators at the tournament Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Tiger Woods of the United States scopes out a putt on the 17th hole during four-ball play Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Team Europe's Rory McIlroy laments a missed putt on the seventh hole during foursomes on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Dustin Johnson of Team USA contemplates his next play on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Webb Simpson of the United States waits in the fifth fairway with his caddie Paul Tesori on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Team USA's Phil Mickelson, left, and Team Europe's Lee Westwood of England study the fifth green during a morning foursomes match on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Ian Poulter of Europe lines up a putt on the 16th green on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Tiger Woods of the U.S. hits his tee shot on the first hole Saturday afternoon.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Zach Johnson of American team reacts to a putt on the 12th hole on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Webb Simpson of the United States plays a bunker shot on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A crowd gathers at the 17th green on day two of the competition.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Sergio Garcia of Europe hits the second shot on the third hole on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – European fans watch the play from a golf cart during day two.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Keegan Bradley of the United States stares down a putt on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A fan of the U.S. golfers watches the action.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Team Europe's Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits out of the eighth hole's tee box on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Phil Mickelson of the United States drives with his wife Amy Mickelson on the 16th green.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Ian Poulter of Europe celebrates after holing a putt on the 12th hole Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Poulter and Justin Rose of Team Europe embrace after winning their match on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Two U.S. fans watch the competition on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Webb Simpson of the USA waits in the fifth fairway with his caddie Paul Tesori.

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Best of Ryder Cup – USA fans cheer on the first tee on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Golfer Justin Rose of Europe lines up a putt on the first green.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A fan looks at a map on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – American Phil Mickelson watches his tee shot on the fourth hole as Lee Westwood of Europe looks on.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Graeme McDowell of Europe hits his tee shot on the first hole on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Bubba Watson of the USA watches his tee shot on the second hole.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Keegan Bradley of the USA reacts after putting on the fifth green on Saturday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A message is written in the sky in remembrance of Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros, who died of brain cancer last year, during day two of the competition.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Keegan Bradley of the USA hits out of the bunker on the 16th green after defeating Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell on Friday, September 28.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Keegan Bradley of the USA urges a putt to drop on the 15th green during the afternoon four-ball matches.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, right, jumps in the air while speaking with teammate Sergio Garcia of Spain, ssecond left, on the 10th fairway on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Americans Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson were paired in the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley celebrate on the 17th green with Amy Mickelson and Jillian Stacey after defeating Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell 2 and 1 during the afternoon four-ball matches on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – McIlroy and McDowell, both of Northern Ireland, wait on the first tee on Friday afternoon.

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Best of Ryder Cup – McIlroy and McDowell walk across a bridge ahead of the gallery on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – McIlroy reacts with dismay to his shot from the 10th fairway on Friday.

Best of Ryder Cup – Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia of Europe line up a putt on the seventh hole on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Graeme McDowell of Europe watches a shot during the Morning Foursome matches of the Ryder Cup on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Phil Mickelson hits a shot on the fifth hole on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Keegan Bradley celebrates on the 15th green after he made birdie to defeat the team of Donald and Garcia during the Morning Foursome matches on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Rory McIlroy of Europe hits a shot onto the green on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Justin Rose of Europe celebrates on the fourth hole after a long putt at the 39th Ryder Cup Friday at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Lee Westwood of Europe watches his tee shot on the first hole Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Phil Mickelson of the United States kisses his wife Amy on the first tee Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Basketball legend Michael Jordan waits on the first tee during the matches.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A fan of the European team watches the play.

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Best of Ryder Cup – USA fans cheer the players on the first tee Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – American golfer Tiger Woods chips on the first hole.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Steve Stricker of the United States hits a shot from the rough on the first hole.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Luke Donald of Europe hits his tee shot on the first hole.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia of Europe celebrate on the fifth green on Friday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a bunker shot during the fourth and final preview day of the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club on Thursday, September 27.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A Team Europe supporter watches the action Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Dustin Johnson, left, and Tiger Woods of the United States laugh during a practice round Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Phil Mickelson, left, was paired with Keegan Bradley on Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Fans wait for autographs during Thursday's practice round.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Rory McIlroy of Europe kicks a PGA ball in between play of the practice round Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – McIlroy takes a bow Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Miguel Angel Jimenez of Europe watches the play Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Ian Poulter of Europe stands over a ball in the fairway Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson, center, walks with U.S. teammate and U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson during a practice round Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – McIlroy talks with vice captain Darren Clarke during the final preview day Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Zach Johnson, right, and Jason Dufner of the United States pratice putting on the 17th green Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Zach Johnson signs autographs for fans after finishing the 18th hole on Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Members of Team Europe practice Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Matt Kuchar chats with U.S. teammate Webb Simpson on the practice ground on Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Team U.S.'s Tiger Woods reaches for a golf ball on the practice ground on Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – U.S. players Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson hit shots on the practice ground Thursday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – British fans wear their loyalties on their sleeves Wednesday, September 26.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Ian Poulter of Europe practices near his teammates' golf bags Wednesday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – U.S.'s Jim Furyk plays his approach shot to the 12th green on Wednesday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – A U.S. fan takes photos Wednesday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Members of the U.S. team practice Wednesday on the 13th green at Medinah, outside Chicago.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Patriotism is on display across the course Wednesday.

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Best of Ryder Cup – Jose Maria Olazabal serves as captain of the European team for this year's Cup.

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EXPAND GALLERY

"I'm not sure the U.S. did a lot wrong. But since the contest was so close, the key differentiator could be the 'Seve' idea. After all, could the power and pulling together of the U.S. team match his story?

"Like most sports, golf is a combination of will and skill and at this level, the will is often more important than the skill.

"The differentiator here was Seve had played a role in all the European players' lives and would have meant something for many of them."

As Spaniards and fellow professionals, Olazabal and Ballesteros shared a strong bond before the latter's death last year.

On the course, the Spanish pair formed Europe's most dyanmaic Ryder Cup partnership (with 12 points gained from their 15 matches) and Olazabal ensured his late compatriot was never far from any of his team's minds this week by strategically placing his image on the players' clothing and bags.

With Justin Rose looking up to the heavens in triumph, Sergio Garcia suggesting that Seve 'was with me all day' after his win and Europe's star man Ian Poulter saying he owed his presence on the team to Ballesteros, Olazabal's unorthodox approach to captaincy produced compelling results.

The 46-year-old may have lacked the organizational ability of previous European captain Colin Montgomerie, whose side triumphed in another nail biting clash in Wales two years ago, but he compensated in other areas, says Tu.

"Compared to Montgomerie, Olazabal was all about emotion -- connecting with individuals on a very visceral level," he said.

Bill Murray steals Ryder Cup

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Is Olazabal ready for Ryder Cup?

"Montgomerie was about thorough preparation and leaving no detail unturned in an attempt to ensure the players were given the best platform to produce victory.

"This year, people felt emotionally connected to Olazabal and his ability to translate that Seve factor was very powerful.

"His organization wasn't perhaps the best though, given what happened with Rory McIlroy," referring to the world No.1 nearly missing his tee-off slot on Sunday after confusing his time zones.

The Northern Irishman eventually made it onto the course just 10 minutes before he was scheduled to start thanks to a siren-wailing police escort from the team hotel to Medinah.

Despite that glitch, Tu believes Olazabal built a team where belief became an intrinsic value and where his man management skills produced inspired results.

"Olazabal did do some interesting structural things -- such as choosing Poulter as a wild card," says Tu. "Poulter has a brilliant Ryder Cup record and his infectious attitude will only ever amplify the belief in others."

Tu highlighted the way in which Martin Kaymer put a disappointing season behind him to emerge as the effective match-winner, as the German coolly sank a pressurized putt on the 18th to beat Steve Stricker and ensure that Europe retained the Ryder Cup.

"Teams play for a leader," says Tu. "The worst leader of Europe in recent times was 2008 captain Nick Faldo, who told Lee Westwood in the middle of a round that he would not be playing the next day.

"Compare that to Olazabal's management of Kaymer, who was not in great form coming into the tournament and who didn't play on the Saturday either.

"Somehow, Olazabal managed to turn a potential weakness into a positive, by stressing to Kaymer that his absence on Saturday was a sacrifice for the team's greater good.

"This would have liberated Kaymer -- and just look at the way both he and Stricker handled the pressure in their clash late on.

"A lot of small things combined to tip Europe into the belief they could win and as the scores came through, their momentum became unstoppable.

"This momentum helped Kaymer -- and so did the Seve influence, as he was playing with something beyond himself. Stricker saw the increasing blue on the scoreboard and began to feel the pressure.

"It's a fine line between that pressure either being turned into a positive or negative, but Stricker knew everyone was relying on him -- which became pretty tough pressure -- and the game just ran away from him."

Stricker's misery was compounded by the fact he was the only player among the two dozen involved who failed to win a point all week -- a statistic that history will not look kindly upon as Americans try to understand how they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

The Wall Street Journal is already debating this, with the newspaper pointing an accusatory finger at the decision by U.S. captain Davis Love III to select Stricker as one of his four wild cards.

"The better questions to ask might be how teams from Europe consistently pull rabbits out of their hats at these Ryder Cups. Europe has now won two in a row, five of the past six and seven of the past nine," the paper wrote on Monday.

"If it were just this U.S. team that lost when on paper it seemed to have the better players, the blame might be easier to assign. But that's not the case."

For Tu, the answer is simple.

"The Europeans were playing for each other, for their leaders and for a purpose -- Seve."